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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Chino Hills
Chino Hills states the online portal is used for all building permit applications, and its Building & Safety Division oversees residential, commercial, and other construction to ensure compliance with adopted codes. Use the City's "When is a permit required?" page and exempt-work handout to screen scope before applying.
One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if not over 120 square feet and not over 10 feet in height, subject to setback rules
Fences not over 6 feet high
Oil derricks
Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Certain above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
Swings, playground equipment, certain window awnings, movable fixtures and partitions, certain flagpoles, qualifying tree houses, and decks or raised platforms not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if not over 120 square feet and not over 10 feet in height, subject to setback rules
- Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Certain above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems
- Exempt Swings, playground equipment, certain window awnings, movable fixtures and partitions, certain flagpoles, qualifying tree houses, and decks or raised platforms not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
Note: Chino Hills states separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may still be required for otherwise exempt items, and exemption from permit requirements does not authorize work that violates other laws or ordinances.
Required documents
- At minimum, the standard Building Permit Application asks for project address, APN, tract/lot/block, project valuation, scope of work, owner information, applicant information if different from owner, and contractor information including contractor license number, workers' compensation information, and City business license number. Plans and project-specific forms/checklists are required where applicable
- Building code
- Ordinance No. 427 adopts the 2025 California Building Code Volumes 1 and 2, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Residential Code, 2025 California Energy Code, and 2025 California Green Building Standards Code.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly stated on the public Chino Hills Building & Safety pages reviewed; confirm permit expiration and extension rules with Building & Safety at permit issuance.
- Owner-builder
- The public application packet reviewed includes owner information and a homeowner smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm verification statement, but no separate city-specific owner-builder rule summary was located on the public pages reviewed.
- Contractor requirements
- The standard application requires contractor license number, classification, workers' compensation information, and City business license number. Contractors should be prepared to provide current licensing information with the permit application.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether the work needs a permit by reviewing the City's "When is a permit required?" page and exempt-work handout.
- 02 Gather the correct application and supporting materials from the City's permit applications and handouts page. The standard Building Permit Application is used for projects that do not have a more specific form.
- 03 Create a Virtual Development Services account and submit the application online through the portal.
- 04 Upload plans and documents requested for the project type. The Building & Safety Division provides digital plan review and digital permit issuance.
- 05 Respond to plan-check corrections if the City requests revisions.
- 06 After approval, pay permit fees through the portal or other City payment instructions.
- 07 Request inspections through the same portal as work progresses and obtain final inspection approval before occupancy or project closeout.
Source: City of Chino Hills Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Chino Hills building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No single general minimum building permit fee was clearly stated in the posted fee schedule. Many minor permits have flat listed fees; for example, reroof is $302 and a residential HVAC changeout split-system permit is $96.
02
Plan check fee
The posted fee schedule does not clearly publish one standalone general plan-check percentage on the excerpt reviewed, but it does list a Plan Check Re-Submittal fee of $538 after three reviews and state-law percentage add-ons tied to permit and plan-check fees.
03
Permit fee formula
New construction, additions, tenant improvements, and conversions are valuation-based under the City's fee tables; many common permit types are charged as flat fees.
04
Reinspection fee
Re-Inspection Fee $336; Investigation Fee for Missed Inspection Steps $269 minimum; started work without a permit triggers an additional surcharge of 50% of the base permit fee; after-hours inspection fee $807 minimum.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Re-Inspection Fee $336; Investigation Fee for Missed Inspection Steps $269 minimum; started work without a permit triggers an additional surcharge of 50% of the base permit fee; after-hours inspection fee $807 minimum.
A 3.75% convenience fee is charged on all credit/debit card transactions paid to the City, and a $1.95 process fee is charged on e-check payments through the VDS online portal.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building inspections are requested online through the Virtual Development Services portal (online)
- 909-364-2780 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- The City allows inspection requests for a future date or next-day inspections. Next-day requests must be received by 2:00 p.m.; requests received after 2:00 p.m. are scheduled for the following business day after next.
Typical sequence: The City does not post one universal sequence on the main Building & Safety page reviewed; sequence depends on project scope, but applicants should expect inspections during construction and a final inspection before project completion or occupancy.
Source: City of Chino Hills Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Chino Hills permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Chino Hills, CA? ▸
Chino Hills states the online portal is used for all building permit applications, and its Building & Safety Division oversees residential, commercial, and other construction to ensure compliance with adopted codes. Use the City's "When is a permit required?" page and exempt-work handout to screen scope before applying.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Chino Hills, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Chino Hills, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No single general minimum building permit fee was clearly stated in the posted fee schedule. Many minor permits have flat listed fees; for example, reroof is $302 and a residential HVAC changeout split-system permit is $96.. Fees are calculated as: New construction, additions, tenant improvements, and conversions are valuation-based under the City's fee tables; many common permit types are charged as flat fees.. Plan check fee: The posted fee schedule does not clearly publish one standalone general plan-check percentage on the excerpt reviewed, but it does list a Plan Check Re-Submittal fee of $538 after three reviews and state-law percentage add-ons tied to permit and plan-check fees..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Chino Hills, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Chino Hills, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work needs a permit by reviewing the City's "When is a permit required?" page and exempt-work handout. 2. Gather the correct application and supporting materials from the City's permit applications and handouts page. The standard Building Permit Application is used for projects that do not have a more specific form. 3. Create a Virtual Development Services account and submit the application online through the portal. 4. Upload plans and documents requested for the project type. The Building & Safety Division provides digital plan review and digital permit issuance. 5. Respond to plan-check corrections if the City requests revisions. 6. After approval, pay permit fees through the portal or other City payment instructions. 7. Request inspections through the same portal as work progresses and obtain final inspection approval before occupancy or project closeout.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Chino Hills, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Chino Hills, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if not over 120 square feet and not over 10 feet in height, subject to setback rules; Fences not over 6 feet high; Oil derricks; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Certain above-ground prefabricated swimming pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems; Swings, playground equipment, certain window awnings, movable fixtures and partitions, certain flagpoles, qualifying tree houses, and decks or raised platforms not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade. Note: Chino Hills states separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits may still be required for otherwise exempt items, and exemption from permit requirements does not authorize work that violates other laws or ordinances. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Chino Hills, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Chino Hills, CA via: Building inspections are requested online through the Virtual Development Services portal, 909-364-2780. The City allows inspection requests for a future date or next-day inspections. Next-day requests must be received by 2:00 p.m.; requests received after 2:00 p.m. are scheduled for the following business day after next..
last verified April 2026
source City of Chino Hills Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division ↗
entry id permits/california/san-bernardino/chino-hills
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Chino Hills Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.